Food container with heatable insert

ABSTRACT

The present invention discloses an article of manufacture comprising an outer container suitable for containing foodstuffs, and an inner container removably disposed in the outer container, wherein the inner container is heatable.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims priority to U.S. Ser. No. 61/070,648 filed Mar. 25, 2008, which is fully incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the field of containers for foodstuffs, particularly the method and containers for packaging foodstuffs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the packaging of foodstuffs, particularly foodstuffs in which portions of the packaging are heatable.

Dipping cookies into melted chocolate and then eating them is a delicious treat for most people, particularly for children. Melting the chocolate can cause a mess, and having both chocolate and the appropriate cookies on hand is vital. Some pre-packaged items are available that contain cookies and a spreadable frosting, but the frosting must be spread instead of dipped, and the taste is not the same as melted chocolate and the intention is not to heat the frosting.

The present invention provides an integrated package that has a large outer container which holds both cookies and a smaller inner container which holds the chocolate which may be in solid or liquid form, including but not limited to liquid chocolate, fragments, solid block, chips or wafers. The inner container may be removed and heated to melt the chocolate, and the cookies used to dip into the chocolate. This provides a treat at home, where the chocolate can be heated in the microwave. Children can prepare the treat themselves, and the messy inner container can be disposed of when done. The packaging could be made of cardboard box in part. The packaging may contain a sachet of chocolate or dipping sauce with instructions, for the purposes of heating the chocolate or dipping sauce within a separate vessel, for the purposes of dipping.

The present invention is also very useful when traveling, as most hotels have microwaves available. Alternatively, in hot weather the chocolate could be melted on the car's dashboard and the treat eaten in the car.

Of particular use would be to take the invention on a camping trip, where the inner container could be placed inside a metal pan which is heated on a campfire or camping stove. Graham crackers and marshmallows could be distributed in the outer container and chocolate could be melted to make s'mores. Alternatively, with fruit in the outer container, chocolate-dipped bananas, strawberries, other treats could be made using the invention.

Drink powders such as cocoa, coffee, or tea could also be used in the inner container, and could be reconstituted with boiling water to provide a liquid for dipping cookies such as biscotti.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is an article of manufacture comprising an outer container suitable for containing foodstuffs and an inner container removably disposed in the outer container, wherein the inner container is heatable.

The invention allows a user to carry one integral container which has an outer section for foodstuffs, such as but not limited to, cookies, and a removable inner section for foodstuffs, such as but not limited to, chocolate chips. Each section has its own removable cover. The inner section packaging is a heat-safe container for heating the chips so the cookies may be dipped into the melted chocolate. The outer section may also be heatable. The outer container may be compartmentalized for the purpose of separating different products for the purpose of dipping in a heated sauce such as popcorn, peanut brittle, marsh mellows, nut clusters, fruit and vegetables. The invention solves the problem of having to transport liquid or pre-melted dip with the cookies, which can spill or leak. The invention also solves the problem of separating and possibly forgetting one container by having the two containers disposed as one unit that is separated on use. The invention further solves the problem of heating a dip while keeping the other foodstuffs in the packaging cool or at room temperature, while also providing a bowl for dipping. The invention also solves the problem of having to add chemical stabilizers to keep an otherwise solid food in a liquid or semi-liquid state.

It is an object of the invention to provide a heatable insert inside a larger package as one integral item.

It is an object of the invention to provide a removable microwavable insert inside a larger package as one integral item.

It is an object of the invention to provide an insert that can be heated in boiling water, and to removably provide the insert inside a larger package as one integral item.

It is an object of the invention to provide packaging to allow one foodstuff to be heated in a microwave or by other means while another foodstuff remains at room temperature.

It is an object of the invention to prevent leaks or spills from foodstuffs during transport or any other time by providing packaging for foodstuffs to be heated to the liquid or molten state when desired.

It is an object of the invention to provide a convenient means for purchasing, storing and transporting foodstuffs that are intended to be eaten in a liquid or molten form with dipping foodstuffs.

It is an object of the invention to provide an all-in-one platter for entertaining. Applications include parties and functions, college dormitory gatherings. The package may be round, square, oval amongst the shapes.

It is an object of the invention to provide two containers together, one to melt chocolate chips, caramel or other meltable foodstuffs and a second container to hold cookies for dipping in the melted candy.

It is an object of the invention to provide a disposable container for melting chocolate chips, caramel or other meltable foodstuffs on camping trips, by immersing the container in water heated over a campfire.

It is an object of the invention to provide a container for holding a powder to mix with liquids and then heat, such as cocoa mix, which can be used as a dip for cookies.

It is an object of the invention to provide a bowl or cup to hold the hot liquid for dipping.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a top view of a preferred embodiment of the invention, showing the food container with heatable insert.

FIG. 2 is a cut-away side view showing the heatable insert in the larger container.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the invention, showing the heatable insert separate from the larger container.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 1 shows a top view of the food container with heatable insert 100. It has an outer container 200, an outer container rim 220, an outer container grasping lip 230, an outer container cover 250, an outer container cover interlocking rim 260, and an outer container cover raised portion 270. FIG. 1 also shows the inner container 300, the inner container rim 320, the inner container cover 350, and the inner container cover interlocking rim 360. Foodstuffs 280 distributed in the outer container 200 are shown, as are foodstuffs 380 distributed in the inner container 300.

Although the inner container 300 is shown near the center of the outer container 200, it can be anywhere in the outer container 200, and can be anchored to the outer container 200 or can be free inside the outer container 200. The inner container 300 can be anchored to the side or bottom of the outer container 200, or in more than one place if desired.

The inner container 300 can be anchored by any number of means, including but not limited to, snapping the bottom of inner container 300 onto a pre-formed lip on the wall or inside bottom of outer container 200, having a breakable plastic tab that connects the inner container 300 to the wall or inside bottom of the outer container 200, or gluing the inner container 300 to the wall or inside bottom of the outer container 200.

The inner container for purposes of packaging could be affixed to the outer border of the outer container above, below or on the side to represent the embodiment of the principle of combining a heatable container and foodstuffs for purposes of dipping.

FIG. 2 shows a cut-away side view of the food container with heatable insert 100. Shown are the outer container 200, the outer container bottom 210, the outer container rim 220, the outer container cover 250, the outer container cover interlocking rim 260, and the outer container raised portion 270. Also shown is the inner container 300, the inner container bottom 310, the inner container rim 320, the inner container cover 350, and the inner container cover interlocking rim 360. Foodstuffs 280 distributed in the outer container 200 are also shown.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view which shows the food container with heatable insert 100 with the inner container 300 separated from the outer container 200. FIG. 3 shows the outer container 200 with the cover off, with the outer container bottom 210, the outer container rim 220, and the foodstuffs 280. Also shown is the inner container 300 with the cover off, with the inner container rim 320, foodstuffs 380, the inner container cover 350, and the inner cover interlocking rim 360.

As can be seen from the figures, the invention is designed so that inner container 300 can be removed from the outer container 200 for heating. This allows a foodstuff 380 in the inner container 300 to be melted so that the foodstuff 280 in the outer container 200 can be dipped into the foodstuff 380. In one embodiment, each container has its own separate cover; in an embodiment not shown in the drawings, the inner container 300 may not have a separate cover, and the cover for the outer container 200 may cover both containers. The inner cover 350 is shown in the figures as being replaceable, but it may also be a peel-off foil or other disposable, non-reusable material.

The inner container 300 may be heated by any number of methods, including but not limited to, using a microwave, suspending the inner container 300 in boiling water, putting the inner container 300 inside a pot which is heated using a flame or other heat device such as a stove-top, putting the inner container 300 inside an oven for heating, putting the inner container 300 in a hotspot in a vehicle (for instance, on the dashboard on a hot day), or putting the inner container 300 on or near a radiant heat source such as a lamp or radiator.

While it is preferable in some cases to heat the inner container 300 and leave the outer container 200 at room temperature, there may be instances where it is desirable to heat both containers. The invention can be manufactured to accommodate either or both instances.

The outer container 200, inner container 300, outer container cover 250 and inner container 350 may be made from any suitable material, including but not limited to, plastics including but not limited to clear, translucent, colored, or opaque plastics, plastic films such as plastic wrap, thermoplastics, natural or synthetic rubbers, foil, glass, ceramics, clay, wood products, paper, parchment paper, cardboard, wax products, foodstuffs, animal products, plant products, metals, cloth, or any combination of any of these products. The individual components of the food container with heatable insert 100 may be made from the same or differing materials, and more than one material may be used in any component of the package.

The outer container 200 and inner container 300 and their respective covers may be the same shape or of differing shapes, including but not limited to, spheroidal, cylindrical, star-shaped, pyramid-shaped, rectangular, square, triangular, hexagonal, with the preferred shape of the outer container 200 and the outer container cover 250 being spheroidal, and the preferred shape of the inner container 300 and inner container cover 350 being cylindrical. The outer container 200 and outer container cover 250 may be any size, ranging from one inch in diameter to 72 inches in diameter, with a preferred diameter of 3 inches to 24 inches. The inner container 300 and inner container cover 350 may be any size ranging from a diameter of ¼ inch to 72 inches, with a preferred diameter of 1 inch to 8 inches. It is preferred that the diameter of the outer container 200 is at least two times larger than the diameter of the inner container 300. The depth of the outer container 200 may be 1 inch to 48 inches, with a preferred depth of 3 inches. The depth of the inner container may be ¾ inch to 47 inches, with a preferred depth of 2⅛ inches. The depth of the inner container with cover may be ⅞ inches to 47⅞ inches, with a preferred depth of 2¼ inches.

The individual containers including the inner and outer containers may be sealed by a variety of methods including but not limited to interlocking components, adhesive, folding, heat sealing or tying methods.

In one embodiment it is preferred that the outer container cover 250 is made of a material and has a shape and size that enables it to interlock with the outer container 200, and it is preferred that the inner container cover 350 is made of a material and has a shape and size that enables it to interlock with the inner container 300. In an alternative embodiment, either or both of the covers 250 or 350 could be manufactured from a pliable material such as foil or plastic wrap, in which case the cover 250 or 350 would be of a size large enough to fit over the rim of the container 200 or 300.

In the embodiment in which the outer cover 250 is made from a material which interlocks with the outer container 200, the depth of the outer cover 250 may be 1/64 inch to 24 inches, with a preferred depth of 1¾ inches. In the embodiment in which the inner cover 350 is made from a material with interlocks with the inner container 300, the depth of the inner cover may be 1/64 to 24 inches, with a preferred depth of ¼ inch.

The inner container 300 may be removable from the outer container 200, or the two containers may be molded together as one piece. The inner container 300 may have an inner container cover 350 as its own separate cover, or it may not have its own cover as it may rely on the outer container cover 250 to contain the foodstuffs 380 inside. The containers 200 and 300 may be disposable or re-usable.

The foodstuffs 280 in the outer container 200 may be any foodstuffs, including but not limited to, cookies, cakes, candy, fruit, vegetables, bread, crackers, chips, pretzels, poultry, meat, fish, nuts, legumes, cheese, eggs or other dairy products. The foodstuffs 380 in the inner container 300 may be any meltable foodstuff, including but not limited to, chocolate chips, chocolate candy bars, peanut butter chips, butterscotch chips, caramel, fudge toppings, frosting, cheese, butter, as well as any powder that can be mixed with liquids, such as but not limited to, cocoa powder, coffee powder, or tea.

Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of illustration and that numerous changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention. 

1. An article of manufacture, comprising: an outer container suitable for containing foodstuffs; and an inner container removably disposed in the outer container, wherein the inner container is heatable.
 2. The article of claim 1, wherein the inner container contains a heatable foodstuff.
 3. The article of claim 2, wherein the inner container contains chocolate chips.
 4. The article of claim 2, wherein the inner container contains caramel or frosting.
 5. The article of claim 1, wherein the outer container is spheroidal, and has a diameter, and the inner container has a diameter, and the diameter of the outer container is at least three times larger than the diameter of the inner container.
 6. The article of claim 1, wherein the inner container is removably anchored to the outer container.
 7. The article of claim 1 wherein the outer container is spheroidal, and the inner container is cylindrical.
 8. The article of claim 1 wherein the inner container has a removable top.
 9. The article of claim 8, wherein the removable top is a foil top.
 10. The article of claim 1, wherein the outer container has a removable top.
 11. The article of claim 1, wherein the outer container is made of clear plastic.
 12. The article of claim 1, where in both containers are heatable.
 13. The article of claim 2, wherein the inner container contains a foodstuff that melts when exposed to heat.
 14. The article of claim one, wherein the foodstuffs are cookies.
 15. The article of claim one, wherein the outer container is rectangular.
 16. A method for preparing a foodstuff comprising the steps of: opening an outer container, wherein the outer container is suitable for containing a first foodstuff, and the outer container has a heatable inner container, the inner container having a meltable foodstuff disposed therein; removing the inner container from the outer container and exposing the inner container to heat; and dipping the first foodstuff in the meltable foodstuff.
 17. The method of claim 1, wherein the first foodstuff is cookies, and the heatable foodstuff is chocolate chips, caramel, or frosting. 